NFL Week 5: 5 teams that must win
After a quarter of the NFL season, which teams desperately need a win as we get into the October slate? Here are five hopeful contenders that have to find a way.
5. Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins began their season with a win over the Los Angeles Chargers, and things were looking up. Then, Miami went and lost to the New York Jets before being shut out by the New Orleans Saints, something that is borderline impossible to believe. Now, Miami hosts the Tennessee Titans, who could be without Marcus Mariota. If the Dolphins are going to get back into the wild card race, they need to win this game.
4. Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings are all kinds of beat up, so they need to beat any team they play of inferior quality. Minnesota is without both Teddy Bridgewater and Sam Bradford, leaving Case Keenum to take on the Chicago Bears come Monday night. Mitchell Trubisky has a rough chore taking on the Vikings defense, something that might result in a handful of turnovers. If Minnesota can find a way to win with Keenum under center, it’s one week closer to getting healthy.
3. Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys are sitting at 2-2 and taking on the Green Bay Packers at AT&T Stadium. If Dallas loses this game, it stands at 2-3 and could very well be two games behind the Philadelphia Eagles, who are 3-1 and hosting the Arizona Cardinals. The Cowboys can’t afford to continue sputtering with the NFC East being one of the tougher divisions in the league. It won’t be easy taking down the Packers, especially with a secondary that was torched last weekend by Jared Goff.
2. Oakland Raiders
The Raiders are in a very tough spot. Oakland has lost the last two games and now takes on the Baltimore Ravens with EJ Manuel at the controls. While Derek Carr misses the next 2-6 weeks with a broken vertebrae, the Raiders have to find a way to stay afloat in the brutal AFC West. A loss at home against the underwhelming Ravens could be the beginning of the end of any playoff hopes.
1. Baltimore Ravens
You already see the issue; one of Baltimore and Oakland is going to lose. The Ravens have lost their last two contests, falling to the Jacksonville Jaguars and Pittsburgh Steelers. If Carr was playing in this game, the Ravens would need a huge upset to win. With Manuel under center, it’s plausible that 20 points wins this game for Baltimore, which would suddenly be in good shape moving forward.
